The Israeli military on Thursday released initial findings from its internal investigations into the significant military and intelligence failures that occurred on October 7, 2023. The report highlighted how senior officers underestimated Hamas and misinterpreted early warnings of an impending large-scale attack.
The investigations aim to address the perplexing question that has arisen since that day, when thousands of Hamas-led militants attacked Israeli communities, army bases, and a music festival. The military officials indicated they spent tens of thousands of hours examining the intelligence-gathering processes and the military's response to the assault, which resulted in approximately 1,200 deaths, predominantly civilians, and 250 hostages taken, marking the deadliest day for Jews since the Holocaust. Survivors experienced long waits for rescue following the attack, which began in the early hours of a Jewish holiday.
During a briefing with reporters, anonymous military officials suggested that the failures stemmed from flawed assumptions regarding Hamas's capabilities and intentions, as well as an “addiction” to precise intelligence that was ultimately lacking. This misperception of Hamas was largely unchallenged within Israeli intelligence and senior command, leading to a chaotic military response as troops stationed along the border were quickly overwhelmed.
The military's findings largely align with detailed investigations from local and international media; however, the military is now presenting its own account for accountability purposes. The military did not coordinate its investigations with other entities, such as the Shin Bet internal security agency or the police, and did not address the years of government policies leading up to the attack.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has stated he will address the pressing questions after the war and has rejected calls for an independent commission to determine personal responsibility. The military's inquiries are not intended to assign individual blame, although this may occur later under the incoming military chief of staff, Eyal Zamir, who will replace Lt. Gen. Herzi Halevi in early March. The primary goal is to derive lessons from the incident.
General Halevi has accepted personal responsibility for the military's failures under his command and announced his resignation last month. Additionally, Aharon Haliva, the former head of military intelligence, and the head of the Gaza brigade also resigned in 2024, with further resignations expected in the future.
Some of the military’s key findings have been shared with residents of the attacked communities. Reactions have varied, with some residents feeling the inquiries raised more questions than answers, while others reported gaining new insights. Amir Tibon, a journalist and resident of Nahal Oz, commended the military's inquiry as “in-depth and serious,” noting it covered critical issues without any whitewashing. However, he emphasized that it was largely a tactical report and could not substitute for a full independent inquiry.
Through the military inquiry, Tibon learned that three waves of assailants entered his village, rather than two as he previously believed, with the third wave arriving around 11 a.m. He remarked on the “absolute madness” regarding the delay in military organization and response to rescue efforts.
The Hamas-led assault prompted a devastating 15-month war aimed at eradicating Hamas in Gaza, resulting in over 48,000 Palestinian deaths, primarily among women, children, and the elderly, according to Gaza’s health ministry, which does not differentiate between combatants and civilians. The conflict has devastated much of the enclave and has escalated into a broader regional crisis.